The Myth of Institutional Neutrality with Brian Soucek

Authors

• Jonathan Feingold, Boston University School of LawFollow
• Brian Soucek, UC Davis School of Law

Program

#RaceClass

Episode

59

Episode Length

1:10:04

Media Type

Podcast

Release Date

3-15-2026

Publisher

WNHN

Language

en-US

Abstract

UC Davis Law Professor Brian Soucek joined the #RaceClass Podcast to discuss his new book: "The Opinionated University: Academic Freedom, Diversity, and the Myth of Neutrality in American Higher Education." Brian is one of the most thoughtful folks out there when it comes to grappling with - and injecting quite a bit of sense into - the most contentious and ongoing debates about academic freedom, free speech and equality on university campuses. His book is an incredible read and highlights what so many so-called "free speech" organizations like FIRE and Heterodox Academy get wrong about the relationship between academic freedom and free speech on campus and in the classroom.

Related Resources

Brian Soucek, The Opinionated University: Academic Freedom, Diversity, and the Myth of Neutrality in American Higher Education (2026). The BU Community can access this at https://bu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01BOSU_INST/edl2ei/alma99209880903301161.

Suzanne Penuel, Why I'm a Convert to Diversity Statements, Inside Higher Ed (Apr. 10, 2024), https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2024/04/10/why-im-convert-diversity-statements-opinion.

William M. Treanor & Amelia J. Uelmen, "Religious Freedom, Jesuit Mission, and DEI" (2026). Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works. 2683.
https://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/facpub/2683.

Recommended Citation

Jonathan Feingold & Brian Soucek, The Myth of Institutional Neutrality with Brian Soucek (2026).
Available at: https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/raceclass/28